2009 Pontiac G6

Unlike the high-quality passenger accommodations critics find in the Chevy Malibu (and the Honda Accord (*est. $20,905 to $28,955), Hyundai Sonata (*est. $18,700 to $26,550) and several other better-reviewed sedans in this price range),  the Pontiac G6's cabin is "a bleak place, with an uninspired design constructed of cheap black plastic," Edmunds.com says. "There's no escaping that Avis ambience." Car and Driver agrees that "the G6 feels like a rental car."

As for driving dynamics, critics agree that the G6 doesn't live up to the sporty image it tries to project. Its steering, braking, ride comfort and handling all draw criticism from various sources. Edmunds.com disagrees on one count, saying the G6's handling is "athletic," but the other problems -- "numb steering," "lackluster brakes" -- remain. "The G6 is marketed as a sportier entry in this highly competitive family-sedan class, but the Ford Fusion (*est. $19,270 to $27,675), Honda Accord, Mazda 6 (*est. $18,550 to $28,465) and Nissan Altima (*est. $19,900 to $29,380) are all more enjoyable to drive," Edmunds.com says.

The Pontiac G6 has been less reliable than other family sedans, according to more than one major owner survey. GM's usual three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty is standard, and the powertrain warranty is even longer, at five years/100,000 miles.

Occupant protection in the Pontiac G6 trails other family sedans, according to federal and independent crash tests. In a 35 mph head-on collision with a similar car, a backseat passenger in a G6 would have an 11 to 20 percent chance of serious injury, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests show. In most family sedans, the risk is 10 percent or less. In side-impact crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Pontiac G6 did only a "marginal" job protecting the back-seat passenger. When IIHS simulated a truck or SUV colliding with the G6 in the side at 31 mph, the test dummy showed that "rib fractures and/or internal organ injuries would be possible" for the rear-seat passenger. Rear-end crash protection was also "marginal," IIHS found. Unlike most other family sedans, the Pontiac G6 doesn't include electronic stability control as a standard feature, IIHS notes. Studies show that electronic stability control can help drivers avoid accidents.

Finally, the G6 gets worse fuel economy than other family sedans. Although its base 164-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine posts a very good Environmental Protection Agency-estimated 25 mpg in mixed driving (22 city/30 highway) with a four-speed automatic transmission, one credible real-world test eked out only 22 mpg from this powertrain combo.

The Pontiac G6 offers a stripped-down Value Leader trim (*est. $19,275) that omits electronic stability control, floor mats, keyless entry and some options, such as cruise control and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. The base Pontiac G6 (*est. $19,275) offers an optional six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode that ups the base engine's fuel economy rating to an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in mixed driving (22 mpg city/33 mpg highway). We found no real-world tests of this combination, however.

The step-up Pontiac G6 GT (*est. $24,180) comes with a 219-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine and four-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. Two real-world tests find it hovers right around its EPA-estimated 20 mpg in mixed driving (17 mpg city/26 mpg highway). Experts say that's low, even for a V-6. The Pontiac G6 GXP (*est. $29,060) combines a more high-tech 252-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode. Reviewers say this engine accelerates better than the others, while delivering the same fuel economy as the G6 GT.

We found detailed, quantitative ratings for the 2009 Pontiac G6 at Consumer Reports magazine and ConsumerGuide.com. Edmunds.com and Car and Driver magazine both evaluate the G6 based on road tests, while J.D. Power and Associates bases its ratings on owner surveys. We found crash-test results at the NHTSA and IIHS. The EPA posts its official fuel economy estimates for the G6 and most other cars on the market.